Anthony was completely different... He had aggression early on. Not really severe - but it was there. With him, we would have to completely restrain him and allow him to thrash until he couldn't thrash anymore. It took quite a while to determine if it was a tantrum or an episode. It would occur at times when he didin't necessarily get his way, but would also happen out of the blue. Afterward he would look at us like "what just happened?" and be totally exhausted. We sought help and were told initially that it was just frustration from not being able to get his point across, inability to communicate. He would bang his head on the couch, headbutt, hit, scratch, etc. He started to control himself more once he started school. However, after a while, he was showing more and more autistic tendencies, and the aggressiveness came back in spades. It continued to get worse over time. He also showed more ADHD (Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder) characteristics. He would bounce off the walls, we couldn't do enough to tire him out. At bed time he was like a ping pong ball, jumping, do "acrobatics", running in and out of the bedroom. The only time he seemed to calm down was when he finally went to sleep, or... when he had sugar or something else that seems to boost energy. (We learned that the brain in ADHD is looking for stimulation, which means that ADHD is actually treated with stimulants).
Anthony's aggression had never gone away. Unfortunately it started getting worse, so bad that we had to have a behavior plan established for school, so they would know what steps to take in order to calm the behavior. He had always slapped, pinched, headbutted, scratched or kicked... but, he started biting. I was the first recipient of this behavior and he broke the skin, it took forever to heal. It happened so quickly he didn't even seem to realize what he had done. This really was the last straw. We knew we couldn't allow this behavior to continue.
We have recently begun Risperidal (Risperidone), one medication that is used in cases of autistic aggression (of course it, like most medications are used for other ailments as well). For Anthony, the aggression has greatly subsided, but it brought out more stimming behavior, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) tendencies (that he had before) and he was extremely tired when we finely got the right dose (which luckily, didn't take long). His doctor recently added prozac and he is back to the happy, energetic boy he was before. (But without the aggression). I have talked to many people who have also have their children on these medications with varying effects. We have also begun the Risperidol for Daniel - aggression is virtually gone, and we'll see how the rest goes.
- changing their child's routine
- changing their child's diet (to organic, casein free or gluton-free, or some variation)
- using herbal supplements
- incorporated certain vitamin regimens
- medications
Most of them have gone through more than one to find something that works. Many have found two or more together get results. The bottom line is: no child is the same and the same method will not work for every child. The best thing is to make sure you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis, and report the good and not-so-good things that are happening on the medicine, diet or behavior therapy. Your doctor is your best ally when it comes to your child's health. Make sure they stay informed and write everything in their chart.
We have come to the realization that any course of action that helps your child function in the best possible way is always the best way to go.
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